Type-positioning block assembly



Oct. 27, 1953 c. F. TILGHMAN TYPE-POSITIONING BLOCK ASSEMBLY Filed June 15, 1948 R m W W Patented Oct. 27, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to printers furniture and more particularly to a type-positioning block assembly and components thereof.

It is an object of my invention to provide an extensible novel and improved type-positioning block assembly having maximum rigidity under all conditions of use.

Another object of my invention is to provide an extensible novel and improved type-positioning block assembly that may be easily and quickly adjusted.

A further object of my invention is to provide a type-positioning block assembly that has a minimum of component parts and will not gum up in use.

A further object of my invention is to provide a type-positioning block assembly which may be readily assembled and disassembled.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel and improved type-positioning block.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel and improved type-positioning block which can be cast in one piece.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of one form of my invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the invention, and depicting its manner of use, and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing and particularly to Figure 3. thereof, it will be observed that my extensible block assembly comprises a pair of superposed interlocking plates or blocks 4, 6 of metal or plastic, for example, each of whose engaging surfaces has been provided with parallel ribs 8 and channels Ill interlocking with similar ribs and channels in the other of said blocks. Each block is of appreciable thickness with the ribs of reduced height, running transversely of the block and covering an area from one end edge of the block to a point spaced from the other end edge. This leaves one end section I! of normal block thickness.

The height of the ribs and corresponding depth of channels is preferably such as to bring the surface of the end portion of each block in the plane of the bottom of the other block.

Attention is directed now to the unique crosssectional configuration of channels H1 and intermediate ribs 8 which contribute materially to the utility of my extensible block assembly. In section, the ribs of each block are of tapered construction and inclined to an angle with the plane of the block, with the spacing between ribs such as to provide complementary channels for the ribs of the other block. Thus the blocks when superposed, may be readily shifted longitudinally with respect to each other to increase the overall length of the assembly.

The use of my extensible block assembly in a chase M will be apparent from a consideration of Figure 2 wherein twosuch block assemblies are employed. Following the centering of the type form 16 within the chase, the block assemblies are inserted between the type form and chase on two adjacent sides and extended to roughly fill in the respective space. Filler blocks l8 and. quoins 20 on the remaining sides of the type form serve to secure the form rigidly in place.

In this conection, it is desired to point out that the angular disposition of the ribs serves to lock the upper blocks 6 to their respective lower blocks 4 in a manner inhibiting vertical separation of the interlocking blocks when subjected to the compressive forces developed in locking up th" form. In fact the latter action serves to more firmly seat the superposed blocks and render them a rigid and integral unit.

While the form of my invention shown in Figure 1 will be found adequate for general use and is the most inexpensive to produce, since the blocks are identical and hence may be made from the same die or pattern, for some purposes, where the blocks may be of insuflicient rigidity to withstand excessive bending stresses, sometimes developed in looking a form, it may be desirable to rigidify the blocks. Such provision is embodied in the form of my invention shown in Figure wherein a series of longitudinally extending ribs 22 are formed in each block of substantially the height of the transverse ribs 8, and corresponding channels 24 formed between such ribs to receive the longitudinal ribs of the other block.

If the same die or pattern is used for both the upper and lower rigidified blocks, one block will be laterally displaced from the other by the width of a rib or channel in order to interlock them, as shown in Figure 3. In practice, if it is desired that such blocks be coextensive in area. this will necessitate either the marginal trimming of the blocks of Figure 3, or the use of two fully complementary dies or patterns.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A type-positioning block comprising a solid block of substantially rectangular form having a plurality of parallel ribs running transversely thereof at an acute angle to the plane of said block on one side only and over an area from one end edge to a point spaced from the other end edge, thereby leaving an end section of normal block thickness, said ribs being of a reduced height and spaced to provide complementary channels for the reception of ribs of a similar block, and a plurality of spaced longitudinal ribs intersecting saidctransyerse ribs and of a height comparable thereto; saicl transverse 'ribs being grooved between said longitudinal ribs to provide channels complementary to the corresponding longitudinal ribs of such similar blocker CHARLES F. THJGHMANEJ,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Joyce Sept. 2, 1890 Davis Oct. 1'7, 1893 Ela June 22, 1897 Herz Feb. 19, 1901 Stephens Dec. 22, 1903 Hundley Oct. 21, 1924 Zimmerman Sept. 22, 1936 Krohn et a1 Jan. 31, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain May 17, 1929 

